Quote:
Originally Posted by jome
What kind of temperatures are we talking about?
At least for me the biggest problem in winter diving is not the suit it self. With a good fitting 7mm open cell suit (elios), I can spend about 1 hour very comfortably diving in icy conditions, provided that the gloves and socks are suited for the purpose (at least 5mm, good fit, 3 fingered gloves...)
The problem is dressing and undressing on the ice. It's very uncomfortable even in the spring when the temperatures are close to zero, but in the winter it would be downright dangerous in extreme cold and wind. But if you can do that inside, I think just a normal, well fitting thick wetsuit should be good enough for almost any conditions.
But by all means do try that out and tell us how it worked out
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The coldest I have dove in is 37 degrees F (3 degrees C), but I suppose it can get a couple of degrees colder at times.
FWIW, Anchorage area divers are very fortunate in that a warming shack has recently been built in Smitty's Cove at Whittier. It is a godsend. The SCUBA divers, instead of shivering in their cars between dives, can now sit in the shack and gas off. It also works great for freedivers getting in and out of their suits. There's bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies.
You're right, jome, about the 7 mil suits keeping you warm. But I think this wetsuit heater's greatest benefits are psychological. I mean, c'mon. To open up your car door and step out into zero degree weather with a wind chill factor of minus 20 F, knowing that you're going to walk into water that will give you an instant ice-cream headache, well, anything that can take the edge off would make it that much easier to decide to open the door.
Here's what a surfer said about the Hotsuits:
The extra warmth had a soothing, loosening effect which I think will be welcome by any cold-water surfer suffering from lower back, kidney or any other abdominal pain or stiffness. So it’s thermal and therapeutic and could really help get you out there on those freezing days when the waves are good but the body’s trying to chicken out.
http://www.surferspath.com/stuff-we-like/hotsuits-heated-kidney-belt1